Hong Kong to witness total lunar eclipse on Lantern Festival

A total lunar eclipse will occur on March 3 on Lantern Festival, with Hong Kong residents able to view the “blood moon” with the naked eye as it rises already partially eclipsed.

The total lunar eclipse begins before moonrise on March 3 (Tue). Moonrise is at 6.22pm, with part of the moon already in Earth’s umbra.

The total eclipse starts at 7.04pm and lasts 59 minutes until 8.03pm. The maximum eclipse occurs at 7:34 p.m., when the moon appears dim copper-red, known as a blood moon.

The entire event ends at 10.25pm with the penumbral phase.

The best viewing spots are any open locations facing east without obstructions. For home viewing, watch the joint live stream from Hong Kong Observatory, Space Museum, Sik Sik Yuen’s Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre, Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College, and Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups' Creative Education Unit on the evening of March 3 evening.

Check the Hong Kong Observatory’s 9-day weather forecast and astronomical observing conditions for updates closer to the date.